YAOUNDÃ, Cameroon: MARCH
18, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging bishops to
work together to proclaim the Gospel to everyone,
keeping a paternal closeness with their priests,
mentoring the laity and caring for the poor.The Pope
said this in an address to the bishops of Cameroon at
Christ the
King Church in Yaounda. He urged
his listeners to evangelize in their diocesan
communities, "for there are countless people still
waiting to hear the message of hope and love that will
enable them to obtain the glorious liberty of the
children of God. The proclamation of the Gospel is the
particular task of the Bishop," he noted, and in order
to "strengthen and purify their faith, the faithful need
to hear the words of their bishop, the catechist par
excellence.”
Together, he said, the bishops can
"search collectively for answers to the many challenges
which the Church has to face" and "give common
guidelines to assist the faithful in their ecclesiastic
and social life." He added: "This apostolic solidarity
should also extend generously to meet the needs of other
local bishops, especially those of your continent. Thus
it will appear clearly that your Christian communities,
following the example of those that broughtthe Gospel
message to you, are likewise a missio-nary Church.”
The Pope exhorted the bishops to
"maintain relations of close communion," with the
priests, "founded on the one priesthood of Christ. If
they see in their bishop a father and a brother who
loves them," he observed, "listens to them and offers
them comfort in their trials, who devotes particular
attention to their human and material needs, they are
encouraged to carry out their ministry wholeheartedly,
worthily and fruitfully.”
He noted, "The words and example of
their bishop have a key role in inspiring them to give
their spiritual and sacramental life a central place in
their ministry, spurring them on to discover and to live
ever more deeply the particular role of the shepherd as,
first and foremost, a man of prayer.”
Benedict XVI urged his audience "to be
especially vigilant regarding the faithfulness of
priests and consecrated persons to the commitments made
at their ordination or entry into religious life, so
that they persevere in their vocation, for the greater
holiness of the Church and the glory of God.” He
observed that "the situation of the family is of
particular concern.”He acknowledged that "the
difficulties arising from the impact of modernity and
secularization on traditional society inspire you to
defend vigorously the essential values of the African
family, and to give high priority to its thorough
evangelization.”
He acknowledged that "the difficulties
arising from the impact of modernity and secularization
on traditional society inspire you to defend vigorously
the essential values of the African family, and to give
high priority to its thorough evangelization.” Due to
the influence of sects, esoteric movements, and
"superstitious forms of religion, as well as
relativism," the Holy Father asserted that there is a
need to "give new impetus to the formation of children
and young adults, especially in university settings and
intellectual circles.”He noted the involvement of lay
people in the life of the Church, and highlighted in
particular "the active involvement of women's
associations inseveral areas of the Church's mission,
which shows a genuine recognition of the dignity of
women and their particular vocation in the ecclesiastic
community and in society.”
Benedict XVI noted the effects of
globalization, and the Church's interest in helping the
poor. He reminded the bishops of their mission "to be
the defender of the rights of the poor, to call forth
and encourage the exercise of charity, which is a
manifestation of the Lord's love for the little ones."
He added, "So it is the duty of Christians, particularly
lay people with social, economic and political
responsibilities, to be guided by the Church's social
teaching, in order to contribute to the building up of a
more just world where everyone can live with dignity. |
